Howell, NJ Rental Property Rules: Rental Registration (2026)

Under § 178-18(A), all rental units in Howell Township must be registered, inspected and licensed under Chapter 178, Article II. Registration goes to the Housing Official on forms from that office, with a separate form for each rental unit. For a property with one rental unit, registration is made at the same time as the application for the rental certificate, which is required annually on the anniversary date of the initial registration or at a change of ownership or tenancy. For a rental facility with multiple units, registration is annual, on or within 30 days of January 1.

Each unit is reinspected with each change in occupancy. The form under § 178-19 asks for the record owner and rental business names and addresses, an agent living in Howell Township or Monmouth County if the owner does not, the building agent, the superintendent or janitor, an emergency representative with authority to make repair decisions, every recorded mortgage holder, the fuel oil dealer and grade where the landlord furnishes heat, and proof of the minimum liability insurance required by N.J.S.A. 40A:10A-1 et seq. A mortgage with an owner-occupancy clause requires notarized written lender approval to rent, unless the owner also lives there as a primary resident.

Under § 178-21, an amended form is due within 20 days after any change in the information, with no fee unless tenancy changes during the one-year licensing period or ownership changes. A certificate under § 178-25 expires within one year of initial approval or on a change in tenancy or ownership, and § 178-24 bars occupancy of any rental unit that is not registered and approved. A fee unpaid 30 days after its due date is a violation under § 178-26(D). Separately, Article IA requires a property management company operating in Howell Township to hold a mercantile license at $50 per year (§§ 178-16.2, 178-16.3).